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Last week, Hyundai Motor America Inc. was hit with a class action lawsuit in California federal court alleging that the motor company failed to disclose a defect in the engine of its 2011 to 2015 Sonata models.
Lead plaintiff Beth Graham, a Sonata owner, alleged in her class action lawsuit that Hyundai did not disclose that the engine in the Sonata model was manufactured with a defect in its rotating assembly that causes “sudden and catastrophic engine failure.”
“The rotating assembly cannot withstand the long-term stress generated within the Sonata’s combustion chambers and fails within the useful life of the engine (most failures occur between 60,000 to 90,000 miles),” the Hyundai class action lawsuit alleges. “When the rotating assembly fails, it does so without warning and causes the engine to seize suddenly—leaving Sonata drivers without power and struggling to maneuver the vehicle to safety.”
Graham further alleges that in addition to concealing this defect from Sonata owners and failing to issue a recall, Hyundai improperly denied warranty coverage to owners whose engines failed due to the defect. “Hyundai has concealed the problem from consumers and implemented a concerted practice of denying warranty coverage for failed engines,” the engine defect class action lawsuit alleges.
“Hyundai tells Sonata owners that they must submit a complete record of the vehicle’s maintenance history before making a warranty claim—even though it knows that Sonata engines fail regardless of owner maintenance and that the faulty rotating assembly is responsible,” Graham alleges in the Hyundai class action lawsuit. “For those warranty claims that are submitted, Hyundai’s practice is to deny them based on inadequate maintenance records or improper maintenance,” she continues. “Hyundai denies that engine failures are widespread in Sonata vehicles and blames its customers for the problem—forcing them to pay as much as $10,000 for an engine replacement.”
Graham also alleges in her class action lawsuit that Hyundai was or should have been aware of the defect. “Hyundai is, of course, currently aware that Sonata engines are seizing in record numbers,” the Hyundai class action lawsuit alleges. “It provides Hyundai dealerships with replacement engines and carefully tracks both part sales and the type of repairs conducted by its dealerships,” Graham further explains.
“In addition, many Sonata owners have complained to their dealership and to Hyundai’s corporate office—to no avail,” the Hyundai class action lawsuit continues. “The strong likelihood is that Hyundai knew of the rotating assembly defect much earlier, likely before Class Vehicles were ever released to the public.” Graham further points out that discovery and review of Hyundai’s internal records will be necessary to know whether Hyundai was aware of the defect, “but the rotating assembly defect is one that would typically be discovered during standard pre-release testing,” she contends.
Graham alleges that Hyundai violated various state laws and class members are entitled to costs and damages. The proposed Class includes “[a]ll persons who purchased or leased a 2011-2015 Hyundai Sonata within the United States.”
Graham is represented by Eric H. Gibbs, Dylan Hughes, and Steve Lopez of Gibbs Law Group LLP.
The Hyundai Sonata Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Graham v. Hyundai Motor America Inc., Case No. 5:15-cv-02071, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District for California.
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310 thoughts onClass Action: Hyundai Failed to Disclose Sonata Engine Defect
My engine seized in December of 2021. Initial findings at mechanic not associated with Hyndai was oil sludge and metal particles in my engine. Got it towed to Hyndai asking about recall campaign 162, they said they would check it out. They confirmed my engine was seized and also contained metal fragments. It was stated that I would have to flush my engine, change my battery and spark plugs so they can perform the recalls. I later found out that the service bulletin specifically states that if the engine does not run, the campaign cannot be performed and instead to put in an immediate request for a new engine block and whatever other components are needed. They lead me to believe I had to pay for the repair when it was clearly associated with the recall. Now the sensor they installed has gone off, my car has lost power and it is in their very unreliable hands currently. Because of a huge storm I could not take the vehicle with me as it was not safe to drive and I am stuck with them as they already have given me nonsense and are preparing me for the worse without even looking under my hood. They also lied about my odometer reading on the paperwork adding an additional 3000 miles. I did not notice it until today to which I called and asked for an actual reading and was denied. They are trying to commit fraud against me and not properly repair my vehicle under their own company guidelines. I need help.
I am having to change and add oil every 1000 miles on my2013 sonata?
Happy I found this forum; 2012 Sonata 130K. I have observed the engine on my 2012 Sonata has been burning oil fast. Will take it to the dealer this week to see what they can do. Multifunction/Engine light comes on and goes off. When the Malfunction/Engine light is on the car stalls like it’s not getting gas and it runs rough. When the malfunction light is off the car seems to run smooth, like there are no issues. Also, an electrical issues with all the lights. When you turn off lights, lights still stay on. Constantly have to replace front-end lights and rear-end lights on this car. I am the second owner, have had this car for two years now. I still have a car note on this car!!! I have maintained the required maintenance of this car ever since I had it. This is just crazy!!!
2013 hyndai sonata. 1 quart of oil every single week. this is not normal and seems environmentally disasterous.
I have a 2015 Hyundai Sonata with 108000 miles on it. Car engine burn oil unusually and I am 2nd owner of car.
I have the same problem 2015 Hyundai Sonata with 115,000 burns a quart of oil about every 300 to 400 miles. No oil leaks, just burns it. I’ve had nothing but headaches with this car since I bought it. I’m the second owner and I have had valve cover gaskets replaced for a small oil leak and this car is still losing a quart of oil every 3-400 miles and there is no leak. Not sure what else to do at this point.
any suggestions? 2015 Sonata Sport 4S 2.4 L 4 Cylinder
Mines after changed not even 100 miles and looks dirty and black . Then after 6 weeks I have to add 2 quarts. I have no leaks under my car!!!
I have a 2013 Sinatra and it uses about a quart of oil every 300 miles
Dealer says that’s normal. I know it isn’t. I’ve had it looked at numerous times. They say there is nothing wrong. I know better!!!
I have the same problem with my oil it goes down a half a court a week it has 90.000 miles I am 2nd owner so I guess iam out of luck
Oil leak valve cover gasket
My 2016 Sonata’s engine light came on at 73,578. My son checked the oil and there was zero oil on the dipstick. He put in a few quarts of oil and I took it to my local dealer. The report from the service technician was NO LEAKS FOUND AT THIS TIME. SHOULD HAVE HAD VEHICLE TOWED IN RATHER THAN ADDING OIL COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DETERMINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. Took my car back several times to document how much oil is burning and will send a report to Hyundai after four consecutive visits and a claim would be submitted to replace the engine at 100%. well, went thru process, claim sent to Hyundai. advised claim was denied due to OIL CONSUMPTION and high mileage. Mind you, I was advised there is a lifetime warranty on the engine and now I’m told I could either continue to pour in oil or trade the car in. I have contacted Hyundai’s headquarters should receive a response any day now after their investigation. And to add insult to injury, I have an extended warrant with at leat 2,000 miles left on it. Twice I asked to submit the claim before it expired and let the know I’d spoken with the rep, explained what was going on and they asked “so what’s the problem. Have them send the claim and we will pay to for the engine. Im was assured Hyundai would replace my engine. Now my extended warranty has expired as I have exceeded 100,000 coverage and Hyundai has denied my claim.
My 2016 Sonata’s engine light came on at 73,578. My son checked the oil and there was zero oil on the dipstick. He put in a few quarts of oil and I took it to my local dealer. The report from the service technician was NO LEAKS FOUND AT THIS TIME. SHOULD HAVE HAD VEHICLE TOWED IN RATHER THAN ADDING OIL COULD HAVE POSSIBLY DETERMINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. Took my car back several times to document how much oil is burning and will send a report to Hyundai after four consecutive visits and a claim would be submitted to replace the engine at 100%. well, went thru process, claim sent to Hyundai. advised claim was denied due to OIL CONSUMPTION and high mileage. Mind you, I was advised there is a lifetime warranty on the engine and now I’m told I could either continue to pour in oil or trade the car in. I have contacted Hyundai’s headquarters should receive a response any day now after their investigation.
2015 Sonata Limited im the second owner and it has around 140,000 miles on it. Replaced valve cover gasket as possible fix for oil problem (im a woman so im just pretty sure thats what its called). Then 3 months later did oil consumption test with Taylor Hyundai which showed I burned off 1L every 300 miles!! Followed that with $500 overnight top engine clean at dealership. 2 months later on 9/27/21 was leaving work and pulled onto hwy when engine revved up, dash warnings went crazy, and car completely shut down. Got help pushing off the road and smoke was coming out from under hood. Had it towed to hyundai who said they are “diagnosing” it which could take up to a week. Now im up a creek without a paddle and have been for 4 days still owe $4,000 on the car. Wondering if anyone can just tell me something…
I have a 2015 Hyundai Sonata also that has a small oil leak, I have replaced the valve cover gaskets and now it is consuming a quart of oil every 300-400 miles also. I quit driving it, trying to figure out what to do. I owe too much on it to sell it or trade it in. After seeing your post, I’m afraid to drive it now as it appears I know what will happen next.
I have the same exact issues. 2015 Sonata burning 4 quarts/700 miles. Replaced gaskets now doing oil consumption test. This started at 120,000 miles.
I have a 2014 sonata I bought used from a Hyundai dealer with 8000 miles on it & at 130,000 miles on it it consumes a 1qt of oil a week & Hyundai corp says so sorry but out of warranty is there any recourse that I can take in this class action law suit.
I noticed my 2015 was burning oil but indicator never came on. Thank God I checked it was bone dry on the stick. So I am adding oil today. I had this engine replaced at 130,000 so this is a new engine with less than 60,000 miles on it and headed the same way. I like my car but if they don’t stand behind this and do right I will be changing brands. This is a car issue not a owner issue from what I’ve read. What can we do???